Just heard "How to be Me" for the first time, thanks for pointing me to it. Your translation into the piano arrangement is really subtle. I like the reflection of the choral parts and the contrast to the rhythmic uttered words/chords. But beyond, you give your own very special more jazzy note to the original muted guitar accompaniment. Great play!

Such intricate and expressive playing, wow!

Really interesting to listen to. Nice construction and progression.

Happy PIano Day!  (the 88th day of the year 03/28/2024)

This is a piano instrumental version of Ren and Chinchilla's "How to Be Me".  The original song is here: https://soundcloud.com/renmakesmusic/how-to-be-me-feat-chinchilla

The original has sparse instrumentation (simple strummed guitar chords and minimalist cello), but the added complexity of Ren and Chinchilla's codominant vocals make for a rich harmonic tapestry and a stimulating challenge to arrange a piano instrumental version.  For instance, one aspect of the song that I love is the use of the harmonic minor in a way that spans both a haunting classical (almost Chopinesque) sound as well as a soulful Jazz sound.  The raison d'etre of the harmonic minor is the V - i resolution. In early takes I settled on extending some of the V - i resolutions using a dom7flat9, which seemed to enhance the haunting classical feel and simultaneously felt in line with Ren's love of diminished chords (e.g., the diminished arpeggio in the Intro of "Hi Ren" which is arguably in fact a dom7flat9).  But then when listening back I noticed that in some places this chord extension did not mesh with the vocal harmonies and a dom7sharp9 a.k.a. the "Jimi Hendrix chord" sounded better).  This is just one example of the intricacies of jamming along with Ren's music.

Part of my motivation for posting this piano arrangement was the idea that Ren's music has enough complexity to stand on its own as instrumental music.  I was delighted when, later that day, Ren posted his first piano instrumental on youtube, a beautiful piece of modern classical music https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqq3VcwPGseErHUa0-xLInQ

Here are the youtube channels for Ren:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RenMakesMusic

...and Chinchilla:
www.youtube.com/@chinchilla_music

How to Be Me (piano arrangement)

Produced by Stan Leonard
Follow me on Spotify and Insta pls: http://open.spotify.com/artist/2G3gYHbQ46UPckIS7nrjk4?referral=labelaffiliate 
Insta: a short video, me playing this composition: http://www.instagram.com/stanleonardmusic/reel/C5wRiYvtyB9/

Stand-Up

funny thing, today I was 44,1 years old.
but sadly this track was recorded at 48 kHz

Impro 17/07/24 44,1 years old.

Light & Darkness Impro Jazz 18/07/24

Just pushed the button and recorded some simple chords in my practice time 
The instrument is a Nord Stage, and the sound is the Fender Rhodes Mark 1 .

Practice Time

Autumn comes, and the darkness soon will cover the light of the sun. Soon all of us will be just victims of the darkness. And as darkness is coming something sweet and beautiful approaches our hearts.

Elegie (for left hand)

https://youtu.be/iKl7DNl-UcQ?si=vr3HD9jQEAFqeFt6

charmed

Born in County Cork, Ireland, Robert Farrell (my great-great-great grandfather), had a sense of adventure, so it was probably no surprise that in the 1800s, he boarded a ship for North America with his wife and daughter.  What was it like to travel from the Emerald Isle to a new world?  Perhaps he had mixed emotions, but more than likely, he was filled with excitement at the prospect of pursuing long-held dreams.  Ultimately, his story took a very unexpected turn...but that tale will have to be told in another musical work!

From The Emerald Isle

*** View my Youtube video! https://youtu.be/ucpUBHuPHM4
When I watch a flock of birds playfully soar in the sky above, it's as if there is an instinctive drive to out-fly their peers in a game of tag.  On this windy day, I watched a flock of birds draw pictures of circles, triangles, swirls while diving through, over and above the clouds, clipping wings in a cat and mouse scurry.  And, most astonishing, I see the birds chasing the fastest cloud taken by the wind.  With outstretched wings, like on a magic carpet, the cloud carries the bird through the wind until a new cloud appears.  A magnificent display of beauty, agility, strength and skill in an ordinary sky in my back yard!

My piano piece is a relaxing and dreamy fantasy of flying through the clouds, chasing them with the wind, and carrying me to a place of serenity, beauty and peace. 

Jennifer L. Jones
Music Dreams Productions 2025

Chasing Clouds

Solo Piano. Created LIVE in real-time at St. Wenceslaus Church, St. Louis MO.

Year of Music XIII

Year of Music: January 17, 2025

Scars of Shadows

I grew up in the Florida Keys where both of my parents worked as musicians in the entertainment business.  My grandmother taught me to play the piano at an early age.  I ended up pursuing a career in mathematical research and teaching, but in my free time I enjoy composing music mainly for piano.

How to Be Me (piano arrangement)

Skai Eriksson

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